I found this interesting TEDxYouth Talk titled “What is Activism?” by Anjali Apadurai. She defines activism as the “practice of addressing an issue by challenging those in power”. She goes on to talk about how activism can span many different forms such as political, environmental, social, and economical. A large group can be activists, and even one person can be an activist, such as Rosa Parks. In addition, she argues that the bottom line of activism is to see that there is justice.
Activism and justice does not need to be a separate activity outside of our everyday lives that can be turned on and off like a light switch. She uses the example of the World Trade Organization Protest of 1999, and a story about her doctor friend who was suspended from his job after reporting the abuses of power committed by his higher-ups. Apadurai states, “Activism is not separate from life but is life itself”. Activism is something one should live by, not something one occasionally pays attention to. |
There is no clear definition of what activism is and is not. However, Apadurai’s TED talk gives us a sharper perspective of what activism should be. Everyone can be an activist, even within every day life. If your morals and character support justice, and you make sure to uphold that, then you are an activist.
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